Mildred V (Beck) Williamson

Mildred V (Beck) Williamson, 86, of Grand Coulee, Washington, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Coulee Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born into a loving family in Norwich, North Dakota, where she spent her early childhood. Soon her family moved west to Montana, where her father found work and then later to the Grand Coulee Dam area, where they settled.

In 1948, Mildred met and married Irvin G. Williamson. Together they bought a small farm in Pleasant Valley, where they raised two sons, along with cows, horses and chickens. While living in Pleasant Valley, Mildred, along with her husband, raised pure-bred Arabian horses. She loved to get dressed up and ride her horse in the Colorama parade each year. After 17 years of marriage, they divorced in 1965.

Mildred went on to work at a variety of jobs, working first as a bartender at the historic Silver Dollar Tavern in downtown Grand Coulee, and later going to school and becoming an alcoholism specialist counselor. She also was a tour guide for the U.S.B.R., and planted trees for the National Park Service.

Mildred loved to watch things grow, and everyone called her the woman with the green thumb. She grew flowers and vegetables each year in her front yard where she lived. She loved cooking, working crossword puzzles, collecting almost anything and genealogy. She lived a simple life, but her legacy and the memories of her will live on forever.

She is survived by her two sons: Allen Williams of Great Falls, Montana, and Irvin Williamson of Grand Coulee, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Irvin G Williamson; parents: Thorvald and Bernice Beck; sisters: Beth Holder, Avanell Flowers, Delia VanHemert and Gloria Hotchkiss.

Funeral services were held May 20, 2016, with burial following at Spring Canyon Cemetery. Please sign Mildred's online guest book at stratefuneralhome.com.

Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.